Volume 9.29 | Jul 30 - ESC & iPSC News

ESC & iPSC News 9.29 July 30, 2014

TOP STORY

Stem Cell Advance May Increase Efficiency of Tissue Regeneration
Researchers combined cutting-edge genetic, cellular and bioinformatics technologies to comprehensively identify genes that act as barriers to the generation of human induced pluripotent stem cells, and probed how these novel barriers work. [Press release from UCSF discussing publication in Cell]
Press Release | Abstract | Graphical Abstract

Take the "if" out of "diff": Reduce variability when differentiating to neural progenitors

PUBLICATIONS (Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

Systematic Identification of Culture Conditions for Induction and Maintenance of Naive Human Pluripotency
Investigators took a systematic approach to identify small molecules that support self-renewal of naive human embryonic stem cells based on maintenance of endogenous OCT4 distal enhancer activity, a molecular signature of ground state pluripotency. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract | Press Release

Genetic Insulin Resistance Is a Potent Regulator of Gene Expression and Proliferation in Human iPS Cells
To define the consequences of genetic insulin resistance distinct from those secondary to cellular differentiation or in vivo regulation, researchers generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from individuals with insulin receptor mutations and age-appropriate controls, and studied insulin signaling and gene expression in comparison to fibroblasts from which they were derived. [Diabetes] Abstract | Press Release

Hepatic Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells as Microscaled Multilayered Colonies Leading to Enhanced Homogeneity and Maturation
Off-the-shelf micro-stencil arrays were developed to generate adherent multilayered colonies composed of human embryonic stem cell-derived cells. Compared with conventional 2D format, the micro-scaled multilayered colonies with uniform and defined sizes constrained within the microwells are composed of more homogenous and mature hepatocyte-like cells with significantly lowered AFP expression and elevated hepatic functions. [Small] Abstract

Mutation Frequency Dynamics in HPRT Locus in Culture-Adapted Human Embryonic Stem Cells and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Correspond to Their Differentiated Counterparts
Base excision repair (BER), a major genomic integrity maintenance mechanism, has been shown to fail during human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) adaptation. Investigators show that the increase in the mutation frequency caused by the inhibition of BER was similar to that caused by the hESC adaptation process. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract

Incorporation of Gold-Coated Microspheres into Embryoid Body of Human Embryonic Stem Cells for Cardiomyogenic Differentiation
Investigators show that incorporation of gold-coated microspheres into human embryonic stem cell-derived embryoid bodies enhances the cardiomyogenic differentiation process of pluripotent embryonic stem cells. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Alginate Encapsulation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Enhance Directed Differentiation to Pancreatic Islet-Like Cells
Scientists developed a stage-wise directed differentiation protocol to produce alginate-encapsulated islet-like cells derived from human embryonic stem cells, which can be directly implanted for diabetes therapy. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract

Transplantation of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Improves Functional Recovery in Huntington’s Disease Rat Model
Researchers determined the functional recovery of transplanted induced pluripotent stem cells in a rat model of Huntington’s disease with use of 18F-FDG microPET/CT imaging. [PLoS One] Full Article

Modulating Notochordal Differentiation of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Using Natural Nucleus Pulposus Tissue Matrix
Scientists show that direct contact between human induced pluripotent stem cells and nucleus pulposus matrix can promote the differentiation yield, whilst both the contact and non-contact cultures can generate functional notochordal cell-like cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Differentiation of Human Limbal-Derived Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells into Limbal-Like Epithelium
Researchers generated human induced pluripotent stem cells and directed them to limbal differentiation by maintaining them on natural substrata mimicking the native limbal epithelial stem cell niche, including feederless denuded human amniotic membrane and de-epithelialized corneas. [Stem Cells Transl Med] Abstract

Webinar: Groundbreaking Applications for Feeder-Free hESC & hiPSC Culture. Watch Now.

REVIEWS

Investigating Human Disease Using Stem Cell Models
Although proof of principle for the use of adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells in disease modelling has been established, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) have demonstrated the greatest utility for modelling human diseases. Furthermore, combining gene editing with iPSCs enables the generation of models of genetically complex disorders. [Nat Rev Genet] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the ESC & iPSC research field.

Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Asia Congress 2014

INDUSTRY NEWS

NYSCF Scientists One Step Closer to Cell Therapy for Multiple Sclerosis Patients
Scientists at The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute are one step closer to creating a viable cell replacement therapy for multiple sclerosis from a patient’s own cells. [The New York Stem Cell Foundation] Press Release

The New York Stem Cell Foundation Partners with Beyond Batten Disease Foundation to Fight Juvenile Batten Disease
The New York Stem Cell Foundation and Beyond Batten Disease Foundation have partnered to develop stem cell resources to investigate and explore new treatments and ultimately find a cure for juvenile Batten disease, a fatal illness affecting children. [Beyond Batten Disease Foundation] Press Release

New wallchart from our sponsor:
Mesenchymal Stem Cells (a Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology collaboration). Request your free copy.

POLICY NEWS

Three Win Inaugural Blavatnik Prizes
Adam Cohen is one of three researchers to win the inaugural Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists, which seek to recognize America’s “most innovative young faculty-rank scientists and engineers” under the age of 43. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Scripps President Resigns after Faculty Revolt
The president of the Scripps Research Institute intends to leave his post, according to a statement from Richard Gephardt, the chair of the institute’s board of trustees. [Nature News] Editorial

EVENTS

NEW Translational Regenerative Medicine Congress 2014
October 21-22
Leipzig, Germany

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the ESC & iPSC community.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

NEW Postdoctoral Fellow – Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (Brigham & Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School)

Technical Account Manager (GlobalStem)

Stem Cell Research Assistant – iPSC Biology and Genome Editing (Stem Cell Theranostics)

Stem Cell Research Scientist – iPSC Reprogramming and Disease Modeling (Stem Cell Theranostics)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Proteomic Analysis of the Differentiation of Human ESCs or iPSCs (Cornell University)

Postdoctoral Fellow/PhD – Epigenetics Using Knockout Mouse Models (University of Marburg)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Genome Editing in Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Study Hereditary Cancer-Associated Mutations (UConn Health Center)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Generation of Myocardium In Situ (Van Andel Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Human Hematopoietic Specification Using Human Embryonic Stem Cells (Washington University School of Medicine)

Postdoctoral Positions – Stem Cell Biology (State University of New York)

Postdoctoral Position – Studying RNA and Heart Biology Using Human Stem Cells (University of Pittsburgh)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology Endoderm Lineages (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Cell Culture Support Products (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Associate – Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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